The Bank of Latvia has just released two new silver commemorative coins, one celebrating the 150th birthday of famed Latvian author Rūdolfs Blaumanis, as well as the Šūpuļa monēta (Baby Coin), in honor of newborn children.

Blaumanis, the author of some of the best known Latvian stories (such as Nāves ēnā), plays (such as Skroderdienas Silmačos) and poems (the best known most likely being ‘Tālavas taurētājs’), was born in 1863. Many of Blaumanis’ works reflected the awakening of the national consciousness at the turn of the 20th century.

The proof quality coin was designed by Aigars Ozoliņš (graphic design) and Ligita Franckeviča (plastic model), and was minted in Romania by Regia Autonomǎ Monetǎria Statului, and has a mintage of 5000 pieces.

The šūpuļa monēta features images associated with newborn children – a bird holding the cradle in its beak, as well as a mouse pulling a dowry chest (recalling the folk song words ‘Atvelc(i), pelīte, bērnam(i) miedziņu’ – bring, mouse, sleep to the child).

The proof quality coin was designed by Anita Paegle (graphic design) and Jānis Strupulis (plastic model), and was minted in Lithuania by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla, and has a mintage of 5000 pieces.

Already released in 2013 is also the Sudraba lasis (Silver Salmon), a silver version of the current 1 Lat coin. Planned for release in 2013 are also silver coins commemorating the 200th birthday of composer Richard Wagner, the 150th birthday of composer Jāzeps Vītols, a coin celebrating ‘unconventional artistic or technical solutions’, as well as another entry in the ‘World’s smallest gold coins’ series.

For further information, visit the website of the Bank of Latvia at www.bank.lv .